DDLS Book Club 2022 Member

For the past few years, I have included a Designing Digital Learning in Schools Summer Book Club/Blog activity in EDIT 787: Teacher Leadership and Advocacy for Digital Learning.  This activity was selected because  (1) the role of "teacher leader of digital learning," is strengthened by knowledge about the trends in educational technology, (2) there are so many trade books focused on technology topics published each year (not only in the field of education but in other fields as well) that it is impossible for any advanced graduate program to include in the course of a two-year program, (3) opportunities to express one's understanding of these topics and implications for education develops essential advocacy skills, and (4) a book club in this program supports the development of a community of practice.

Something I have not done in this activity is participate as a book club member.  That will change this year as I have selected a book to read, blog about, respond to blog comments, and find ways that this book club selection impacts my beliefs and teaching practice.  

The book I have selected is Klara and the Sun by Kazou Ishiguro.  Ishiguro is previously known for The Remains of the Day, which was adapted into a movie in 1993. I was drawn to this book partially because of Ishiguro's reputation, it's designation as a New York Times bestseller, and it's main character, Klara, an Artificial Friend. More importantly, I was captured by the NPR blurb, "A masterpiece that will make you think about life, mortality, and the saving grace of love." Most books I have read with Artificial Intelligence (AI) themes have centered on what it means to be human, alive, or conscious (e.g., The Most Human Human, Machines Like Me).  This book takes it to the specific emotional level of love. 

My goal is to find connections to education and my teaching practice.  Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality software has been found on annual K12 educational technology trend lists for decades. Yet, early or routine use of these tools has not yet been realized. Also, in Spring 2023, I will be teaching a doctoral course, EDIT 895: Emerging Trends in Learning Technologies. It's a good time to look at this technology differently.